Torch's fading light...

André Brasil · Sep 17, 2018

Hey guys,

I have owned this euphyllia torch coral for about 4 months.

This is what he looked like a few weeks into the tank (left side)

This is what it looked last month (left side)

An this is now:

So, here is what I have changed in the last months:

Light: From a Par38 to an AI Prime HD

Flow: Added the IM Spin Stream

Chemistry: Upped the Alk to near 10, from 7 (did it very slowly, over several weeks). Also, had a problem with low salinity for maybe 1 month. The receding of the coral health pre dates this.

Besides these changes to the system, I have tried moving this guy all over the tank. After a couple days I would evaluate the results - nothing seemed to make a positive difference. He's now on the bottom of the tank for the last couple weeks. The decline continues.

Alk: 9-10
Calcium: 420
Mag: 1320
Salinity: 1025

These are the changes I noted and can recall. Others may have happened that I didn't notice ofc. All other livestock and corals seem well and do not show any obvious signs of stress.

Last week gave the torch an iodine dip - didn't notice much of a difference.

Any advice would be appreciated! I'm out of ideas.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 17, 2018

High alk and higher light Id wager.

André Brasil · Sep 17, 2018

saltyfilmfolks said:
High alk and higher light Id wager.

Thanks for the input!

How would higher alk be detrimental to a coral's health?

ZachR32 · Sep 17, 2018

Sometimes moving a coral around too much stresses it out more than helps it. I like to wait a week between coral moves

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 17, 2018

André Brasil said:
Thanks for the input!

How would higher alk be detrimental to a coral's health?

It’s the change I believe. Most report higher alk with lower nutrients caused them issues. Plus you likely changed the ph. So consider that a coral is kinda like an inside out gut/lung. You changed the chemistry of of the stuff it uses to eat an Breath.
It’s likely you may have only slight issues with the alk change , but you also changed the light too.
We’re this an acro , it’s likely you would have seen burnt tips and no PE.

Fudsey · Sep 17, 2018

I agree with what @saltyfilmfolks has said. My torch (different color) is in medium flow but pretty high light and it is almost always extended.

André Brasil · Sep 17, 2018

Thank you for all your comments!

Assuming it was the changes made to the system that affected him, what solution would you propose?

Would making a return to the previous conditions not threaten the stability of the other corals health? Would rather lose one than risking damaging the others chances...

KJa · Sep 17, 2018

Leave it alone. LOL The number one thing I keep hearing and reading about this hobby is stability. The more consistent and stable your tank's environment is the more success you will have with your tank. Regardless if the parameters are off. If it's consistent and stable you are most likely good.

vetteguy53081 · Sep 18, 2018

Stability would have been key. Seems like alk went up more quick than gradually to a high level.
Moreso would be change in light. Prime does have an acclimation setting which i would have used for 2 weeks . mine likes med flow of water

Nikita1981 · Sep 18, 2018

What are your no3 and po4 levels?

Geebs19 · Sep 18, 2018

Color on the inside still looks good, looks like he is just a little upset by some of the changes. I would just give it time.

Bayareareefer18 · Sep 18, 2018

Took me awhile to find the happy place for my torch. If everything in the tank is stable maybe give it more time between moves. That's what I found worked for me. Moving frequently didn't give it enough time to adjust and fully extend.

Mine actually did better when I moved it higher than my hammers and frogspawn.

André Brasil · Sep 18, 2018

Nikita1981 said:
What are your no3 and po4 levels?

Still haven't got around buying these test kits. I am under the assumption that they are within acceptable ranges as I run a oversized skimmer, am within stock limits and feed scarcely. Also, no problem with algae whatsoever...still, can't really vouch for that with absolute certainty.

André Brasil · Sep 18, 2018

Geebs19 said:
Color on the inside still looks good, looks like he is just a little upset by some of the changes. I would just give it time.

Hope that's the case ;Nailbiting

Nikita1981 · Sep 19, 2018

André Brasil said:
Still haven't got around buying these test kits. I am under the assumption that they are within acceptable ranges as I run a oversized skimmer, am within stock limits and feed scarcely. Also, no problem with algae whatsoever...still, can't really vouch for that with absolute certainty.

Your nutrients could be too low. If you strip the water completely from po4 and/or no3 your torch will suffer. I would buy the test kits if I were you.

André Brasil · Sep 19, 2018

Nikita1981 said:
Your nutrients could be too low. If you strip the water completely from po4 and/or no3 your torch will suffer. I would buy the test kits if I were you.

I'll take that into account. I do feed reef roids every other day, besides feeding my one clownfish once a day...too low nutrients also sounds unlikely. I do understand judging water parameters by looking at the tank isn't the best, but it does give you an idea of what's going on. I've had low nutrients in the past and remember my zoas getting smaller in polyp size. They have been plump and full for some time now. Ricordeas also getting bigger would indicate adequate nutrient levels I'd say.

Michael Llabona · Sep 19, 2018

I don't mean to make this even more complicated (I agree with alk swing and new light theory....) But... Did you buy from LFS? Did you see them take the torch out of the water? They could have damaged the torch by taking it out of the water before the tentacles has a chance to retract. This essentially rips the tissue a little. It could have slowly died because an injury. Best practice is to bag them up in the water not out.

André Brasil · Sep 19, 2018

Michael Llabona said:
I don't mean to make this even more complicated (I agree with alk swing and new light theory....) But... Did you buy from LFS? Did you see them take the torch out of the water? They could have damaged the torch by taking it out of the water before the tentacles has a chance to retract. This essentially rips the tissue a little. It could have slowly died because an injury. Best practice is to bag them up in the water not out.

I'm all for an open perspective on matters, hance the post. Do you think something that happened 4 months ago could have an effect now?

Fudsey · Sep 19, 2018

Michael Llabona said:
I don't mean to make this even more complicated (I agree with alk swing and new light theory....) But... Did you buy from LFS? Did you see them take the torch out of the water? They could have damaged the torch by taking it out of the water before the tentacles has a chance to retract. This essentially rips the tissue a little. It could have slowly died because an injury. Best practice is to bag them up in the water not out.

This is interesting to me as with mine I moved it 2 times without doing this. Once when I got it putting into my holding tank and again putting into a bucket to bring upstairs and put into my DT. Although mine may not be as sensitive but 3 times out of water without doing this.